Apparatus for winding linear material



Feb. 24, 1970 F. G. HEUMANN 3,497,148

APPARATUS FOR WINDING LINEAR MATERIAL Filed Sept. 28 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet l AMA ' INVENTOR. V, flay/M /Vm/w/w ATTORNEYS Feb. 24, 1970 F. G. HEUMANN APPARATUS FOR WINDING LINEAR MATERIAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1967 INVENTOR. fkwm/c/r 5. flf'l/MA/VA/ 3 ATTORNEYS Feb. 24, 1970 'F. G. HEUMANN 3,497,148

APPARATUS FOR WINDING LINEAR MATERIAL Filed Sept. 28, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 wydw ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR WINDING LINEAR MATERIAL Frederick G. Heumann, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Owens- Corning Fiberglas Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 28, 1967, Ser. No. 671,305 Int. Cl. B6511 54/28 US. Cl. 242-43 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for packaging linear material such as glass strand having a longitudinal oscillator means supported at both ends and further having means for positioning the oscillator means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In certain fiber or filament forming processes such as the forming of continuous filament glass it is customary to collect bundles of the filaments or textile strands by winding them upon tubes or collectors where the collectors are mounted on a collet or spindle driven at high rotational speeds, the collet being part of a winder. Because the multifilament textile strand includes a large number of individual filaments that are not twisted together and therefore do not have the integrity in the degree found in yarn, the strand is normally wound on the collector in helices to cross the strands with each other at fairly large angles. If the strand winds upon the collector with successive strand turns in side-by-side relation, the filaments of adjacent'turns tend to become intertangled, which gives rise to strand breaks upon unwinding the package.

Strand handling and traversing apparatus normally moves the advancing strang lengthwise of the collector to wind a package having strand turns disposed as helices to preclude filament entanglement. A glass strand presently can advance onto the collector at high linear speeds up to fifteen thousand feet per minute.

Numerous types of traversing mechanisms for high speed winding of textile material such as glass strands are used. One of the most successful mechanism is the spiral wire shown in the patent to Beach, No. 2,391,870.

Because the spiral wire requires a certain minimum strand tension and the strand material such as a glass strand has a maximum tensile strength, the mechanism possesses inherent process limitations. The spiral wire moves the strand under the direct control of a pair of substantially spirally shaped complimentary cam members carried by a. shaft. While the tension along the strand must be sufficient to permit the strand to press against the cam members for movement responsive to the cam shape of the members as they rotate on the shaft, the requisite tension along the strand at any time during winding cannot be greater than the tensile strength of the strand.

Because the lengthwise surface of the package wound on the collector moves radially outwardly during the formation of the package, the tension along the strand moved by the spiral wire varies. The growth of the package increases the angle of the strand path both across the moving cam members of the spiral wire and onto the package to produce an increasing tension along the strand throughout the build of the package. Wound packages having a larger final diameter give rise to higher strand tension towards the finish of the package.

While the limitations of minimum and maximum strand process tensions as discussed have given concern, few process difliculties ensued so long as the range of strand products and packaging requirements from the United States Patent "ice apparatus remained substantially constant; however, todays textile industry requires a variety of products and packages, especially larger packages, from a particular method and apparatus. Such demands require improved winding and traversing apparatus.

Further, spiral wire whip heretofore plagued the shafts carrying the spirally shaped cam members, i.e. spiral wires. As the shaft rotates at high r.p.m.s, it gyrates, i.e. moves spirally about its axis, This detrimental gyrating motion continually changes the position of cam members, which produces short term yardage variations in material of the wound package. Moreover, the motion of gyration limits the number of cam members that can be effectively carried on a shaft; the further the cam members are away from the shafts support, the greater the motion of gyration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is improved material handling apparatus for collecting the material into a package.

Another object of the invention is a winder collecting linear material into a package providing more stable support for the apparatus distributing the advancing material on a collector.

Another object of the invention is a textile winder providing improved capability for collecting textile material into a wound package on a collector by use of a readily positionable support means for the apparatus distributing the material on the collector.

Another object of the invention is a winder for collecting linear material having rotatable longitudinal oscillator means for distributing the material on a collector that is supported at both ends.

Still another object of the invention is winder apparatus with support means movable about separate axes for locating the means for distributing advancing material on a collector apparatus.

Yet another object of the invention is a Winder apparatus providing means for speedy change of its oscillator apparatus.

These and other objects are attained by a winder for collecting linear material into wound packages having material handling apparatus including a strand oscillator on a rotatable longitudinal member or shaft where the shaft is held at both ends by support means that locates the oscillator in relation to the packages, the support means being movable about separate axes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the invention is described hereinafter in more detail with references made to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic front elevation view of apparatus carrying out the method of forming and packaging textile material of continuous filaments of glass according to the principles of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view partially in section of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view partially in section showing an assembly of the apparatus for handling strands according to the principles of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a view in section taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3 in the direction of the arrows and more clearly shows the clamping arrangement according to the principles of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the right end of the assembly shown in FIGURE 3 illustrating the quick change feature of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is an elevation view of the end of the assembly shown in FIGURES 3 and 5 illustrating the quick change features of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a view in perspective of the apparatus carrying out the method of forming and packaging textile material for continuous filaments of glass according to the principles of the invention disassociated from the surrounding enclosures;

FIGURE 8 is a schematic illustration of components of the apparatus of the invention and controls therefor;

FIGURE 9 is a somewhat schematic illustration of the support apparatus of the invention showing examples of the infinite variety of positions attainable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS While the method and apparatus of the invention are particularly valuable in processes for forming filaments of heat softened mineral material such as glass where the individual filaments are combined to form a textile strand prior to collecting the material as a wound package, the method and apparatus may be used in processes that form and/or package textile material made from other fiber-forming materials such as nylons, polyesters and the like. Thus, the use of glass to explain the operation of the invention is by example only, the invention having utility in other textile operations such as processing yarn, cord, roving and the like.

FIGURES 1 and 2 show a process for forming continuous glass filaments from heat-softened glass where the glass filaments are combined into two textile strands, each of which is subsequently collected as a wound package. The FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate a container or feeder 10 that holds a supply of molten glass. The container 10 may be connected to a forehearth (not shown) that supplies molten glass from a furnace or may be connected to a means for supplying glass (not shown) such as marbles that are reduced to a heat-softened condition in a melter or other means associated with the feeder or container 10. The container 10 has terminals 12 located at its ends that connect to a source of electrical energy to supply heat by conventional resistance heating to the glass held in the container 10 to maintain the molten glass at a proper fiber forming temperature and viscosity. Moreover, the container or feeder 10 has a bottom or tip section 14 including a plurality of orifices or passageways for delivering streams 16 of the molten glass from the container 10. As illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the openings in the bottom 14 comprise a plurality of depending orificed projections or tubular members 16.

The molten streams 16 are attenuated into individual continuous glass filaments 20 and combined into two bundles or textile strands 22 and 23 by gathering shoes 24 and 25 respectively located below the feeder 10.

While the filaments 20 may be protected only by application of water to them, it is desirable in most instances to apply to them a conventional size or other coating material. Nozzles 27 and 28 may be located near the bottom 14 to spray water onto the newly formed filaments 20, preferably prior to combining the filaments 20 into the strands 22 and 23. An applicator 30 supported within a housing 31 may be provided as shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2 to apply the size or coating material to the filaments 20. The applicator 30 may be any suitable means known to the art such as an endless belt that moves to pass through size or coating fluid held in the housing 31. As the filaments 20 pass across the surface of the applicator 30, some of the fluid material on the applicator 30 transfers to them.

The strands 22 and 23 collect as wound packages 36 and 37 respectively on a winding machine 40. Strand handling apparatus moves the advancing strands 22 and 23 back and forth along the length of the packages 36 and 37 as the strands Wind as a package upon a collector such as tubes or sleeves 34 and that have been telescoped over a spindle or collet 42, the collet 42 being journaled for rotation on the winder 40.

The strands may be wound on any appropriately sized spindle 42; however, the apparatus of the invention has particular utility Where requirements call for winding a variety of package sizes, i.e. package diameters. FIG- URES 1 and 2 show a spindle or collet 42 having a fairly large diameter, e.g. twelve inches; however, the collet size may be varied. In fact, the invention has been practiced using collets having smaller diameters, e.g. in the range of 8 inches, and large diameters, up to 15 inches and larger.

While the apparatus of the invention illustrates a process for attenuating two glass textile strands, i.e. strands 22 and 23, the invention may be employed with one or more units of linear textile material such as strands, yarns, rovings and the like.

As is generally shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the apparatus of the invention includes strand handling apparatus or assemblage providing movement to the advancing strands to distribute them, e.g. back and forth along the length of the collet 42, such movement being a combination of both reciprocal motion imparted to the apparatus adjacent to the collet 42 and normally faster oscillatory motion provided by appropriate oscillator means.

A motor/ clutch arrangement mounted within the housing 43 of the winder 40 through an appropriate drive system controls both the movement of the strand handling apparatus providing the faster oscillating motion to the strands and the rotation of the collet 42. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the motor 45 is a constant speed electrically energized motor that provides a drive for the rotor (not shown) of an associated eddy current clutch 46. The clutch 46 includes the driven rotor and an output shaft 51, the torque from the driven rotor being transferred to the shaft 51 by magnetic force. A non-slipping belt 52 transfers the rotational energy of the shaft 51 to a shaft 53, which is above the shaft 51 in the housing 43. The shaft 53 moves the collet 42 in rotation. A non-slipping belt 55 transfers the rotational energy of the shaft 53 to an input shaft 56 of a speed reducing mechanism 58. The rotational energy imparted to the output shaft of the mechanism 58, shaft 59, transfers to a drive shaft 61 through a non-slipping belt 57 driving a sheave 60. The drive shaft 61 rotates with the sheave 60.

The winder 40 rotates the collet 42 and moves the portion of the strand handling apparatus providing the faster oscillating motion to the strand together directly by the output of the motor 45 and clutch 46 arrangement. The speeds of the collet 42 and the oscillation pro ducing apparatus are mechanically locked together by the drive system in a predetermined ratio. The ratio may change as desired through judicious use of various size sheaves and the like. Moreover, changes can be made to the speed reducer when one is employed, e.g. speed reducing mechanism 58.

As the strands 22 and 23 advance onto the collect 42 as wound packages 36 and 37 respectively, the strands are distributed on the collectors, e.g. move back and forth along the length of the tubes 34 and 35. Such strand movement, i.e. builder motion, is the result of two motions. First, oscillators associated with the winder 40 such as oscillators 71 and 72 impart a fast traversing or oscillating motion to the strands. Secondly, mechanisms of the winder 40 give a slower reciprocal motion to the strands by reciprocating the oscillator support means such as the oscillator support assemblage 80, which carries the oscillators 71 and 72.

The oscillators 71 and 72 give a rapid oscillating motion to the strands and as shown include a pair of substantially spirally shaped complimentary cam members carried by a rod member or traverse shaft 70. As more clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the oscillator 71 includes cam members 73 and 74; in the case of the oscillator 72 the cam members are 75 and 76. As the oscillators 71 and '72 rotate, they effect a crossing of individual convolutions or wraps of their respective advancing strands, i.e. strands 22 and 23, on their respective packages.

Other. type oscillators may be employed. An example is a rotary disc oscillator with peripheral cam grooves as disclosed in US. Patent 3,292,871. The particular oscillator employed combines with a longitudinal member, e.g. the shaft 70, to form a longitudinal oscillator means.

The reciprocal motion imparted to the support means or assemblage 80 can be effected by means including a motor 82, spur gears 83 and 84, traverse cam 85 and follower holder 86. The cam 85, which in the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 is a wheel cam with a peripheral groove, rotates on a rod 81 through movement imparted to the rod 81 by the motor 82 through the meshing spur gears 83 and 84. Tne vertical member 86 holds at its upper end a substantially horizontally extending cam follower or rod 87 that engages the peripheral groove of the cam 85. As the cam 85 rotates, the follower 87 moves with it in its peripheral groove. The other end of the vertical member or follower holder 86 connects, such as by clamping, at its lower end to a carrier tube 93, which is slideably mounted on the winder 40. As the cam 85 moves the follower 87, the follower holder 86 reciprocates the carrier tube 93 along the longitudinal axis of the tube 93. A conventional spline arrangement (not shown) connecting the shaft 61 for rotation with the sheave 60 may be employed to permit the shaft 61 to move back and forth along its axis of rotation with the reciprocal motion of the carrier tube 93 and still be driven in rotation. As illustrated, the axis of rotation of the shaft 61 lies along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tube 93.

A drive system found within the support assemblage 80 rotates the oscillators 71 and 72 by rotating the traverse shaft 70. Referring to FIGURE 3, the drive rod 61 receives rotational energy from the output shaft 59 of the speed reducing mechanism 58 through the belt 57 and the sheave 60 and extends through the horizontal carrier tube 93 into the support assemblage 80. Bearing 94 provides a rotational mountnig for the shaft 61 in the support assemblage 80. Within the assemblage 80, a non-slipping belt 95 transfers the rotational energy of the drive rod 61 to a shaft 97 extending parallel to the shaft 61 and mounted for rotation in bearings 96 and 98. A non-slipping belt 99, which moves about sheaves 103 and 104, transfers the rotational energy of the shaft 97 through the sheave 104 to drive a whirl 101 mounted for rotation in bearings 102. The drive whirl 101 engages the shaft or rod 70 at one end and rotates it, the whirl 101 and the shaft 70 being suitably connected. As illustrated, the shaft 70 has a square end portion 77 that mates with a reverse recess portion of the whirl 101.

As the packages 36 and 37 build, the rotational speed of the collet 42 and the oscillators 71 and 72 (the shaft 70) reduce together in a predetermined manner to maintain an essentially constant linear strand speed to keep the attenuated filaments 20 substantially uniform in diameter. Because the speeds of the collet 42 and traverse shaft 70 are mechanically locked together in drive and regulated together by the speed of the output shaft 51, their speeds are reduced together at a fixed ratio. This ratio may be changed, as mentioned herein, through variations in the size of sheaves and the like. Separate drive systems that are regulated together to provide a speed reduction of the collet 42 and the traverse shaft 70 may also be employed.

The rotational speed of the shaft 51 may be gradually reduced in a programmed manner various ways. One such way employs a suitable motor/ clutch arrangement as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 8. The speed of the motor 45 remains substantially constant throughout the build-up of the packages and the reducing speed of the shaft 51 is effected through the eddy current clutch 46 by varying the electrical flux. The greater the flux density (magnetic force) the larger the percent of the motors output rotational speed (the input side of the clutch) transfers to the output side of the clutch (shaft 51). As the packages increase in diameter, the flux density in the clutch 46 collapses at a programmated rate through a control device or programmer. The programmer (not shown) may be of a character as disclosed and described in the patent to Smith, 3,109,602.

The support means or assemblage 80 of the invention provides substantially infinite adjustment for the oscillators 71 and 72 with an assembly that includes a rearward unit 110 and a forward unit 115, each of which moves about a separate axis spaced from the collet 42 (packages 36 and 37).

Referring to FIGURE 3, the rearward unit 110 is an enclosure movably mounted on the housing 43 of the winder 40. The unit 110 mounts at its rearward portion on the carrier tube 93, which extends horizontally from within the housing 43 of the winder 40. The tube 93 extends into the unit 110, which has its axis of rotation along the axis of the tube 93. Any suitable means, e.g. clamping means, may be employed to maintain the unit 110 at any desired rotated position about the axis of the carrier tube 93. The unit 110 is free to rotate about its axis (the axis of the tube 93).

The forward unit 115 mounts on the forward portion of the rearward unit 110 and includes, as illustrated, two connected longitudinal members 117 and 118 and end holders 119 and 120 respectively. As shown the longitudinal members 117 and 118 are tubular members rotatably mounted on a common axis of rotation. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the longitudinal member 117 extends from the left side of the rearward member 110, the drive shaft 97 extending therethrough. The longitudinal member 118 is a shorter unit and extends from the rearward unit 110 to the right as illustrated in FIGURE 3. As disclosed there is no drive apparatus associated with the tube 118. Securely mounted at the outer ends of the members 117 and 118 are the end holders 119 and 120 respectively. The holders 119 and 120 move with the member to which it is secured. Each holder is elbow shaped, i.e. extends along the length of its associate member and then turns to extend laterally from such member. In the embodiment shown in the figures the holders 119 and 120 make a right angle turn. Located Within the holder 119 are the belt 99, sheaves 103 and 104 and drive whirl 101.

The end holders 119 and 120 support the shaft 70. At one end the shaft 70 engages the drive Whirl 101, which is within the end holder 119. The other end engages a member 122, which has a recess 121 for receiving the end of shaft 70 and that is mounted for rotation in bearing 123 within the end holder 120. The driven whirl 101 rotates the shaft 70.

The members 117 and 118 are suitably connected for movement together. As shown in FIGURE 3 the members are connected by a bridge means including a long shell connector 112 fixed to the inward end of the member 117 and a shorter shell connector 113 fixed at the inward end of the member 118. Bolts such as bolt 114 join the shell connectors together. Through the bridge means the members 117 and 118 move together.

The support assemblage includes means for keeping the cooperatively associated units and in rigid fixed position relationship to maintain the oscillators 71 and 72 in desired position relative to the collet 42, i.e. the packages 36 and 37. An example is a clamping arrangement shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. As illustrated there are three clamping zones comprising three cap clamps 124, and 126. These cap clamps are longitudinal members with flanges extending along their lengthwise edges, e.g. flanges 127 and 127' and flanges 128 and 128 for the cap clamps 124 and 126 respectively as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Further, each of the cap clamps includes a concave portion extending on one surface along its length that fits lengthwise over the associated longitudinal member or tube that it clamps.

Matching concave portions are fashioned in the rearward unit 110 along its lengthwise edge surfaces. In the forward edge surface are concave portions for longitudinal members 117 and 118; the rearward edge surface of the unit 110 has a concave portion for the carrier tube 93. When the members 1 17, 118 and the tube 93 are in operating position as in FIGURE 3 .with the matching concave portions of the member 110 and the cap clamps disposed to substantially surround them, there forms an effective gripping or clamping arrangement held in position by bolts 129 piercing the flanges, e.g. flanges 127 and 128, and threading into the unit 110'. Because the cap clamps do not close the circle like passageway formed by the matching concave portions of the unit 110 and the cap clamps, a space remains between them as shown in FIGURE 4. Increased pressure on the various members may be accomplished by threading the bolts 129 more tightly into the unit 110. When all cap clamps are pressed tightly against their associated members (117, 118 and 93), a rigid support assembly 80 ensues that holds the oscillators 71 and 72 in desired position.

The end holders 119 and 120 support the shaft 70. At one end the shaft 70 engages the drive whirl 10 1, which is within the end holder 119. The other end engages the member 122, which has the recess 121 for receiving the end of shaft 70 and that is mounted for rotation in bearing 123 within the end holder 120. The rod or shaft 70 locks together for rotation suitably as by keying.

The cooperatively associated and connected units 110 and 115 of the support assembly 80 move to a substantially infinite variety of operating positions. As shown in FIGURE 8, the rearward unit 110 moves about its axis located at its rearward portion. Such axis as discussed herein lies along the longitudinal axes of the carrier tube 93 and drive shaft 61, such axis being spaced outwardly of the collet 42. The forward unit 115 moves about a separate axis extending in the same direction, e.g. parallel to the axis of the unit 110. Such axis lies on the axis common to the members 117 and 118 and also is spaced outwardly of the collet 42. Normally all axes are parallel. Thus, the oscillators 71 and 72 may be positioned in any variety of positions with respect to the associated collet or package, no limitation being placed on a process because of tension limits caused by improper oscillator position. Moreover, the infinite variety of positions of the support assembly 80 are provided without changing drive belts or using idlers.

The rearward unit 110 can freely move three hundred sixty degrees about its axis. Because of the nature of its connection to the rearward unit 110, the forward unit 115 cannot move a full three hundred sixty degrees about its axis. For example, in operation one embodiment provides the forward unit 110 a movement about its axis upwardly from a horizontal position one hundred seventeen degrees and movement from the horizontal position downwardly fifty-four degrees, such movement being a total movement of one hundred seventy-one degrees.

The support assembly 80 provides for quick change of the shaft 70. As shown in FIGURES 3, 5 and 6, the end 120 includes a forward portion 131 and a rearward portion 132, which are hinged. Bolts 133 and 134 from the top and bolt 135 and another (not shown) from the bottom pass through slots, such as slot 136 in the top of the forward portion 133, and thread into the rearward portion 132. When the inwardly located bolts, i.e. bolt 133 on the top and the bolt (not shown) on the bottom, are removed, the forward portion 132 slides outwardly in the slots to disengage the shaft 70 and moves to open away from the end of the shaft 70. One may disengage the other end of the shaft 70 from the whirl 101 for shaft removal. A new shaft can be quickly positioned and the forward portion 131 closed to hold the new shaft.

Any suitable hinge and locking device may be employed to disengage one end of the shaft 70 with an end holder to permit shaft removal. Moreover, any suitable locking arrangement may be employed to keep the end holder in shaft holding position.

The operation of the apparatus of the invention can be followed with reference made to FIGURES 2, 7, 8 and 9. An operator begins by locating the oscillators 71 and 72 at a desired position relative to the collet 42 by manipulating the rearward portion and forward portion of the strand handling and support assemblage 80 about its axes, viz. by a jig. The operator clamps the support assembly 80 in the desired position. On the collet 42 is telescoped two fresh tubes, e.g. sleeves 33 and 34.

Closing the switch 142 of the control box provides electrical power to the winder 40 from a suitable electrical source supplied to L and L When the switch 142 closes, the motor 45 energizes; however, the clutch 46 is not energized until a foot operated switch 144 is closed by the operator, whereupon the collet 42 begins rotating. Thereafter the operator wraps the strands 22 and 23 on the collet 42 outwardly of the sleeves 33 and 34. When the collet 42 and oscillators 71 and 72 attain the proper speeds, the advancing strands 22 and 23 are moved to engage the oscillators 71 and 72, and construction of the packages, e.g. packages 36 and 37, begins.

As the packages build, the rpm. of the collet 42 and the traverse shaft 70 are progressively reduced by the programmer (not shown) through the controlled collapse of the flux density of the clutch 36, the speed ratio between the collet 42 and the oscillators 71 and 72 being maintained. Because the speeds reduce as the packages enlarge, the strands keep a substantially constant linear speed throughout the build of the packages 36 and 37.

When the packages 36 and 37 are wound, the collet 42 may be stopped by suitable brake means such as shown somewhat schematically in FIGURE 8, which illustrates an air operated disc brake arrangement for stopping the collet 42 where an air operated cylinder moves clamps 152 to engage a disc 151 located on the shaft 53. When the packages are wound, the clamps 152 engage the disc 151 to stop the rotation of the spindle 42, electrical po-wer being concomitantly broken to the eddy current clutch 46.

When the spindle 42 stops, the operator removes the completed packages 36 and 37 and places new forming sleeves on the spindle.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed. The present disclosure is merely illustrative, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising in combination:

a mounting;

a rotatable collector upon which advancing linear material is wound as a package;

means for rotating the collector;

oscillator means for distributing the advancing linear material on the collector; and

support means on the mounting for supporting the oscillator means, the support means including two cooperative associated parts, each of the parts being movable about a separate axis, each of the separate axes being spaced from the collector.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 where the two cooperatively associated parts are connected along one of the axes.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 where each of the axes extends parallel to the collector.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 3 where the oscillator means includes a longitudinal member having a cam means thereon for oscillating the strand path, the longitudinal member being held at both ends by the support means.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 4 where the cam means comprises a spirally shaped cam member rotating with the longitudinal member.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 4 where there are at least two cam means on the longitudinal member spaced apart along its length.

7. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising in combination:

a mounting;

a rotatable collector on the mounting upon which advancing linear material winds as a package;

means for rotating the collector;

a rod member;

means for rotating the rod member;

means on the rod member rotating with it for distributing the advancing strand material on the collector;

support means on the mounting, the support means including a forward and rearward portion, the rearward portion mounted for movement about a first axis spaced from the collector and extending in the same general direction as the collector, the forward portion connected to the rearward portion on a second axis spaced from the first axis and the collector, the forward portion mounted for movement about the second axis and adapted to rotatably support the rod member at both of its ends.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 7 where the forward portion includes a longitudinal portion connected to the rearward member along the second axis and holders at each end of the longitudinal portion extending laterally therefrom, the rod member rotatably held by the holders.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 8 further including means for reciprocating the rod member along its axis.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 9 where the rod member is reciprocated by moving the support means.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 10 where the first axis, the second axis and the rod member are parallel to the axis of rotation of the collector.

12. A winder for collecting a glass strand comprising in combination:

a container holding heat softened glass, the feeder having orifices for flowing a plurality of streams of the glass for attenuation into continuous fibers;

means for gathering the continuous fibers into a strand;

a mounting;

a rotatable collector on the mounting upon which the advancing strand winds as a package;

means for rotating the collector;

a rod member;

means for rotating the rod member;

means on the rod rotating with it for distributing the advancing strand on the collector;

support means on the mountting, the support means including a forward portion and a rearward portion, the rearward portion mounted for movement about a first axis spaced from the collector, the forward portion connected to the rearward portion on a second axis spaced from the first axis and the collector, the forward portion including a longitudinal portion mounted for rotational movement about the second axis and holding portions at each end thereof extending laterally away from the longitudinal portion, the holding portions rotatably supporting the rod member at both of its ends; and

means reciprocating the support means along the first axis.

13. Apparatus for packaging linear material comprising in combination:

a mounting;

a rotatable collector upon which advancing linear material is wound as a package;

means for rotating the collector;

oscillator means for distributing the advancing linear material on the collector; and

support means on the mounting for supporting the oscillator means at the end portions of the oscillator means, the support means being movable about an axis spaced from the collector.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 where in the oscil lator means is rotatably mounted on the support means and further including means for rotating the oscillator means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,233,042 7/1917 Foster 24243 1,427,035 8/1922 Taylor' 24243 2,433,304 12/1947 Stream 242--43 NATHAN L. MINTZ, Primary Examiner 

